Ten Things of Thankful: First Week of School Edition

So I have a confession…hold on because that always means something big. OK, this is not really a huge confession, but I am more and more convicted…and this is just me, so if you don’t feel that way it is ok…it’s just my conviction and my resulting confession. 

Ready? Oh the build up...

The first year when both my boys were in public school full-time, I had a party. I had a “Back to School” party with my girlfriends who were in the same boat.

It was a “hurrah we are kid-free for several hours every day!” party. 

That makes me a little bit sick to my stomach as I think about that now. I didn’t appreciate them for who they were and were becoming. And I missed the fact that they would quickly (oh, so quickly) grow and change and become young men. 

I was MISSING IT.

And I actually CELEBRATED it.

Ugh. That feels so ugly. And it was ugly.

And I confess it all to you now.

But now I try to be thankful for all parts of them.

Try is the operative word. I am still human.

And now that I have all that ugliness out there for all the world to read, I now give you this week’s list. I hope you find it less distasteful than the confession I just shared.

1.  I am thankful that school FINALLY started and we survived the first week together…the first one in which I have been home full-time with them; just in case you are joining me for the first time, or you’ve never heard me mention it, I worked part-time for the past five years, so the boys went to work with me and we did school there. I worked at a preschool (I was the assistant director) and since I was not assigned to a classroom, my schedule was somewhat flexible. But because of that, it made this week feel strange and new and exciting. I loved it but we still have some bugs to work out…any teacher would probably say the same thing.

2.  I am thankful that we are finally doing some music appreciation this year…and though our curriculum is classical in its basis, we are doing the history of Rock & Roll. No judging. We began with music of the 1920’s. We discussed the roots of the music and then each week we will listen to three different artists; this week was Al Jolson, Bix Beiderbecke, and Hoagy Carmichael. I know you’re jealous.

And just in case you aren’t familiar, here’s a little bit of Hoagy for your listening enjoyment (NOT a 1920’s recording but still worth a listen):

3.  I am again thankful for Spotify…otherwise there is no way I could have feasibly on our restricted budget, introduced and exposed the PBA to such a wide range of music. You really should check out Spotify if you have not already…and no, I am not receiving any monies for my endorsement. But, Spotify, if your execs are reading this, I promise to cash any check you might send me for the advertisement.

4.  I am thankful for the “Happy First Day of School!” yellow cake with chocolate icing we enjoyed on Monday evening. Because sugar (chocolate specifically but sugar in general) makes everything better. Don’t judge.

5.  I am thankful that I can leave fun notes such as these in the fridge. And no worries…this one was just on a container of grapes, which I purchased the week before at the grocery but I had to ensure that we had a couple for our experiment. But I don’t believe there’s any harm whatever in giving people pause before they crack open a container and begin munching away.

6.  I am thankful (and this is almost parroting a list item from last week I believe it was) that I can leave them while I run an errand…and they will actually complete some school work while I am gone. No more waiting until they are finished with everything (or at the very least at a “good place to stop”) so I can go to the store and such. I know it seems silly but the fact that they can get etymology and science finished in the time that I run to Aldi and back…that is HUGE for our schedule.

7.  I am thankful that a BOOK finally spoke to my 10yo. For ever he’s been the one that though he can read and comprehend books way above grade-level (sorry…proud mama moment), he does not ENJOY reading. He’s not ENGAGED with a book. And much to my delight (as well as my shock/surprise/astonishment), he has become somewhat (and I say somewhat because only time will tell how this will truly play out) enraptured with “The Diary of Ann Frank”. I didn’t actually have high hopes for the book…I thought they would tolerate the book, at the very least…it being about a girl and all. But he is really enjoying it…well, as much as you can “enjoy” that particular book. But he’ll read a couple pages and then ON HIS OWN come to me to tell me about what he’s read. Oh joy, oh rapture. Even if this interest doesn’t continue, at least I saw a glimpse of the possibilities!

8.  I am thankful that I FINALLY got the PBA set up with their own blogs. I have been wanting to accomplish this tiny thing for the past year and finally, this week, have made it happen. Now I am certain that you will all be most disappointed to hear this bit of news but I am making their blogs UBER private. They are using them as their journaling and I want them to feel free to put whatever they want without fear of someone else reading them (well, except for me, and even then they will have the option to ask me not to read some of them. And they can mention others by name instead of having to be surreptitious and use nicknames or initials. I am certain we will get to that point where they can speak in code for a bit, but we ar enot there yet.  I want the focus to be on the writing...not the "hiding true identities" bit. Anyway…all that rambling to say, they have their own blogs…which they can design, post videos and pictures to, and generally have their own total artistic license out in full force. They are almost as excited as their mama.

9.  I am thankful that we can take half a day (yes, sometimes) on math and it is OK…because in the end, they GET IT without being forced to nod and say “yes I get it” only to be pushed along and make matters worse in the future.

10.  I am thankful for the work I get to do later today (playing with flowers for a wedding. I didn’t get to do the design work...maybe someday I will have the opportunity to try my hand at that again…but I don't think the timing isn’t right for it now)…and also for the money I will bring home. While at this point we haven’t really missed the income I used to bring in (God is so good to provide for us!), an opportunity to feel like I am contributing financially (and some time with other adults...I love being with the boys and being their teacher and mama all rolled into one...but sometimes a little break is good for everyone involved) are always welcomed and appreciated! So for this first week of school I get to experience both and I am thankful!

What are you thankful for?

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